Floor Fashion

The Rug Company- a London-based retailer, now with select locations in the US (including Chicago)- has collaborated with some A-list designers to come up with their exclusive Designer Collection. They really are pieces of artwork for your floor (made obvious by the prices), but if you can invest in one it would be a fabulous piece to own.

The ones I'm drooling over:

Climbing Leopard- Diane Von Furstenberg

Feathers- Alexander McQueen

Zap- Fiona Curran

Tribe- Matthew Williamson

Peacock Light- Matthew Williamson

Dilemma

For over a year I have been infatuated with how sophisticated and glamorous a zebra print cowhide rug can make a room look (like this one from Modani). I've looked into purchasing one for myself, but I can never seem to bring myself to make the investment. Perhaps it's because I'm boarder-line vegetarian, or maybe because I have a soft spot for animals, but the thought of having the entire HIDE of a COW on my floor makes my stomach churn (although I'm not opposed to a leather couch... go figure). I've looked high and low for a good synthetic alternative, but every one I've found looks, well... fake (and cheap!). Am I overreacting? Do I tell my conscious to take a chill pill for the sake of a potentially fabulous looking room?